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Science News for March 7, 2013


Better living through mindfulness

A new study from the University of Utah reveals that individuals with higher mindfulness traits experience greater emotional stability, better self-control, and lower physiological activation before bedtime. This finding suggests that mindfulness may contribute to improved emotional and physical well-being by enhancing self-regulation ...

Pushing the boundaries

A new model of cell fusion was created by researchers at Johns Hopkins, revealing two critical components necessary for the process. The discovery may lead to improved treatments for muscular dystrophy, as cell fusion plays a crucial role in muscle regeneration.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalScience·DateMar 7, 2013

The future of ion traps

Researchers explore ion traps as a promising architecture for constructing a quantum computer, leveraging qubits' coherence time and protection from ambient disturbances. The development of micro-fabricated devices and cryogenic cooling techniques aims to push the limits of pressure and storage capacity.

SourceJoint Quantum Institute·JournalScience·DateMar 7, 2013

FASEB MARC Travel Awards announced for the 2013 American College of Sports Medicine Northwest Chapter Meeting

The FASEB MARC Program has announced the travel award recipients for the 2013 American College of Sports Medicine Northwest Chapter Meeting, aiming to promote diversity in the basic science community. The program aims to increase the number and competitiveness of underrepresented minorities in biomedical research.

Fatty acids could lead to flu drug

A study published in Cell Press reveals that a compound derived from fats found in fish oils prevents death in influenza-virus-infected mice. The compound, protectin D1, inhibits virus replication and improves survival when given 2 days after infection, offering a promising strategy for treating severe influenza.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell·DateMar 7, 2013

School-based kitchen gardens are getting an A+

A new study found that school-based kitchen garden programs increase children's willingness to try new foods, with cooking classes playing a key role. The program not only teaches environmental sustainability but also skills to prepare and cook healthy meals using fresh produce.

SourceElsevier Health Sciences·JournalJournal of Nutrition Education and Behavior·DateMar 7, 2013

ADHD symptoms persist for most young children despite treatment

A recent study found that nearly 90% of preschoolers with ADHD continued to struggle with symptoms six years after diagnosis. Children taking ADHD medication had just as severe symptoms as those who were medication-free, suggesting a need for improved treatment strategies.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·DateMar 7, 2013

Worming our way to new treatments for Alzheimer's disease

Researchers have developed a new approach to screening potential treatments for Alzheimer's disease using the C. elegans worm model. The study identified six compounds capable of alleviating tau-induced behavioral abnormalities in the worm model, as well as azaperone treatment, which can decrease abnormal tau accumulation.

SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry·DateMar 7, 2013

Stocking Florida bass in Texas reservoirs may alter stream systems connected to stocked reservoirs

A genetic analysis by Baylor University biologists reveals that Florida bass stocking in Texas reservoirs affects bass populations far beyond the actual stocking location. The study found Florida bass DNA in bass at all sampling locations, including sites over 50 miles upstream from the closest documented stocking location.

SourceBaylor University·JournalTransactions of the American Fisheries Society·DateMar 7, 2013

Japanese researchers succeed in making generations of mouse clones

Researchers at RIKEN Center for Developmental Biology successfully cloned mice multiple times using somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) technique, overcoming previous limitations. The study published in Cell Stem Cell reveals no accumulation of genetic or epigenetic abnormalities after repeated cloning.

SourceRIKEN·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateMar 7, 2013

Sniff, sniff. What did you say?

Research in rats reveals that sniffing behaviors convey information about an individual's social status, with dominant rats acting as primary sniffers and subordinate sniffees slowing their breath. This new form of communication allows animals to avoid conflicts and maintain social hierarchy.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateMar 7, 2013

The side effects of statin ads

Exposure to statin TV ads was linked to higher rates of high cholesterol diagnosis and statin use, especially among those at low risk for heart disease

SourceSpringer·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·DateMar 7, 2013

Nanoparticles loaded with bee venom kill HIV

Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine have developed nanoparticles carrying melittin, a toxin found in bee venom, that can destroy human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) while leaving surrounding cells unharmed. This finding offers an important step towards developing a vaginal gel that may prevent the spread of HIV.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalAntiviral Therapy·DateMar 7, 2013

Lizards facing mass extinction

A new study suggests that climate change may lead to the extinction of dozens of lizard species within the next 50 years due to rising temperatures. Lizards with viviparous reproduction are particularly vulnerable as changing weather patterns affect their ability to adapt and survive in cold environments.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalGlobal Ecology and Biogeography·DateMar 7, 2013

Exercise shields children from stress

A recent study found that sedentary children experience stress hormone surges when exposed to everyday stressors, while the most active children had little or no increase in cortisol levels. The study suggests physical activity plays a role in mental health by buffering children from daily stressors.

SourceThe Endocrine Society·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateMar 7, 2013

Study finds up to half of gestational diabetes patients will develop type 2 diabetes

A recent study found that women with gestational diabetes are at risk for developing Type 2 diabetes, with a significant defect in insulin secretion identified as a key factor. The study's findings indicate that up to half of Asian women who had gestational diabetes may develop Type 2 diabetes within eight years of giving birth.

SourceThe Endocrine Society·JournalThe Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism·DateMar 7, 2013

Do-gooder or ne'er-do-well? Behavioral science explains patterns of moral behavior

Research suggests that people with an 'ends justify the means' mindset tend to balance their good and bad deeds, while those who believe in principle-based morality are more likely to be consistent in their behavior. The study found that individuals with a rule-based mindset were less likely to cheat after recalling an ethical act.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateMar 7, 2013

When food is scarce, a smaller brain will do

Researchers found that the brain prioritizes neural diversity over number of neurons when faced with limited nutrients, a strategy essential for survival. This discovery may have implications for understanding human brain development and addressing intrauterine growth restriction.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell Reports·DateMar 7, 2013